The phytopathogenic Interaction of Clavibacter michiganensis and its hostplants

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a wilt and canker inducing pathogen of tomato. The pathogenic determinants and the corresponding genes of the bacterium are studied in order to understand the mechanism of disease development in the host plant. Tools for control and diagnosis of the bacterial pathogen are developed. (A. Burger, R. Bahro, H. Jahr, J. Ahlemeyer und R. Eichenlaub)

The endosymbiontic Interaction of Acetobacter diazotrophicus and the host plant sugarcane.

The regulation of nitrogen fixation by Acetobacter diazotrophicus a symbiotic bacterium found in sugar cane is studied. Since up to 75% of plant nitrogen is provided by bacterial nitrogen fixation in this system it seems worthwhile to study the interaction of the bacterium with the host plant in order to extend the host range and optimize nitrogen fixation by studying the corresponding regulatory cascade. (O. Perlova, M. Wülling, A. Schröder, B. Baumgarth, A. Szmajdzinska und D. Meletzus)

Degradation of Aromatic Compounds by Soil Bactria

The degradation and dehalogenation of chlorinated aromatic compounds by gram-positive soil bacteria is investigated. Degradative pathways are analyzed by chemical characterization of intermediates and the genes for degradative enzymes are identified. The goal is to understand the chemical and genetic basis for bacterial degradation of xenobiotics. Model compounds for our studies are chlorobenzoate and chlorosalicylate. (A. Schmitz, K.-H. Gartemann und R. Eichenlaub)

Bacterial Gene Transfer by Conjugation and Transformation

The bacterial genes and their products required for gene transfer are investigated. This will provide information on the mechanism by which DNA molecules are transferred during bacterial conjugation and transformation. The goal is to identify the proteins involved in the formation of a complex transmembrane DNA channel. The work also provides tools allowing to screen for the gene transfer potential in natural microbial ecosystems. (C. Disqué-Kochem, A. Battermann, Kung-Ju Lin und B. Dreiseikelmann)

Mammalian Gametogenesis, Developmental Potential and Influences of Environment and Age.

Gametogenesis and embryogenesis in mammals are studied with respect to regulation of gene expression, cell cycle control and chromosome distribution and influence of parental age, environmental exposures and handling/preservation in assisted reproduction. Development of animal model systems for tests and identification of the molecular basis of germ cell formation has profound implications for agriculture /breeding, in assessment of risk factors for human fertility and transmission of inherited diseases, and in setting up methods for diagnosis and treatment of reduced fertility. (G. Michel, M. Peschke, S. Weber-Schürholz, S. Cukurcam und U. Eichenlaub-Ritter)

constructed by Dietmar Meletzus (20/10/98)